Steelers' Day 2 draft advantage could land them Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft has already served up one of its biggest surprises, and it revolves around a name that dominated headlines for months—Shedeur Sanders. Once viewed as a near-lock to go within the top 5, the Colorado quarterback found himself unexpectedly sliding down the board, setting the stage for a second-day scramble that could define several franchises.

Steelers could make a splash on Day 2 of 2025 draft with multiple picks lined up

For weeks, sportsbooks had pegged Shedeur Sanders as a first-round talent, with his over/under draft position sitting comfortably around 8.5. But as draft week unfolded, the betting markets began to shift rapidly. On Wednesday, oddsmakers reacted to inside information and betting trends, adjusting his draft position line to a staggering 21.5 across multiple platforms. Suddenly, a player once destined for early selection found himself in uncharted territory.


Thursday morning brought more chaos, as the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as the odds-on favorites to land Sanders, with BetMGM listing them at -145. That surge came after a week of volatile movements. Just days earlier, the New Orleans Saints had been favorites at +160, building on prior momentum where they’d been listed as high as -115. The Cleveland Browns (+220), New York Giants (+450), and Las Vegas Raiders (12-1) also remained firmly in the mix as potential landing spots.

But when Pittsburgh was on the clock at No. 21, the script flipped entirely.

Despite having a glaring need under center—especially with only Mason Rudolph on the roster—the Steelers stunned fans and analysts alike by selecting Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. Both Sanders and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart were still on the board, making the decision even more unexpected.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn't hide his enthusiasm for Harmon, noting, "Extreme urgency," when describing their approach. "To be quite honest with you, there's no substitute for young talent. You don't have a chance to fill a quality defense unless you're stout inside and up front. And this is a young guy that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in that pile — and be a significant contributor for years to come."

While Tomlin’s vision for the defense is clear, the quarterback dilemma now looms larger than ever. Jaxson Dart quickly found a home with the New York Giants, and Shedeur Sanders remains available heading into Day 2—a scenario few could have predicted just 24 hours ago.

The Steelers now enter the second day of the draft with just one pick, sitting at No. 83 in the third round. That reality significantly complicates their quarterback search. With Sanders and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe both still on the board, it's highly unlikely either player will be available that late. Unless Pittsburgh trades up into the second round, they may be forced to look at other options such as Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Ohio State’s Will Howard, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, or Syracuse’s Kyle McCord.

But trading up won’t come cheap, especially with quarterback-needy teams like the Browns holding the No. 33 pick. If Sanders is to wear black and gold, Pittsburgh’s front office will need to get aggressive and creative fast.

As Day 2 dawns, the fate of Shedeur Sanders remains one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft—and the Steelers, still searching for their future quarterback, are right at the heart of it.

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